Monday, 16 May 2011

Don't let me in: the blood-brain barrier

Several of the posts on this blog include the concept of biological barriers and what potentially might be the effects of problems with hyperporosity (leakiness) of such barriers. This is particularly true of the gastrointestinal barrier in relation to things like coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Autism also seems to figure to varying degrees in such discussions.

The gastrointestinal barrier may well be important for lots of different reasons; predominantly stopping things getting out - fragments of food proteins, peptides, eosinophils, etc. which could conceivably have various somatic effects (and possibly a few psychological ones too).

In this post I want to talk about a barrier which is primarily charged with stopping things getting in - the blood-brain barrier (BBB). I am not going to just recite the various descriptions of the BBB. Suffice to say that it is a partly chemical and partly physical barrier which protects perhaps our most complex organ. The scientific literature extensively discusses the BBB with reference to just about everything - structure, development, disease, etc. With regards to autism, there is also a fair amount of material to analyse.

What seems to be missing from the research on the BBB and autism is data on the integrity of the BBB. There are quite a few ways to measure such permeability based on the various drug transport studies around including use of Evans Blue and other contrast agents coupled with MRI.

I assume that research will eventually get round to looking further at the BBB in relation to autism given the current focus on brain structure and autism. I will perhaps come back to the BBB at a later date given its potential importance for lots of things related to autism and beyond.

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Questioning Answers

About Me

I have been involved in autism research for more years than I care to remember. My Questioning Answers blog (http://questioning-answers.blogspot.com/) is a place to describe and discuss various research into autism spectrum and related conditions. My Gutness Gracious Me blog (http://gutness-gracious-me.blogspot.com/) is for discussions on various gastrointestinal research. I make no recommendations, I am not giving any medical advice, I am not formulating any specific opinions and do not want to get into any ethical, political or religious debates. I am not trying to change anyone's opinions, views, beliefs or anything else. These are purely blogs about science and research in autism and a few other interesting things. Any posts I make are my own opinions and not reflective of any organisation I am affiliated to. Keep in mind that science deals with probabilities not absolutes.

ABOUT AUTISM SPECTRUM CONDITIONS

Autism or autism spectrum conditions describe several presentations characterised by core issues with social affect and stereotyped or repetitive actions. Diagnosis is made by observation and analysis of developmental history. These are heterogeneous conditions which can carry various co-morbidities and whilst described as life-long are affected by age and maturation. Autism means different things to different people. To some it means a need for life-long support. To others it is part of the varied tapestry of humanity. To all it means a need to foster a welcoming society with appropriate support and opportunities.